Derek McInnes has message for Rangers and Celtic after Ibrox defeat as half-time changes explained

Celtic staged another late comeback win at Kilmarnock, intensifying the pressure on the league leaders. The Tynecastle side are now just two points ahead of Rangers and three in front of Celtic, who have a game in hand.

“We aint going away,” insisted McInnes. The Hearts manager revealed that some of his players had already stolen his thunder by underlining this in the away dressing room at Ibrox afterwards. By the time he got in there, he sensed the renewed determination. Hearts' next two games are both at home against Falkirk and Aberdeen.

“Nothing's going to be decided today,” McInnes added. “I think it was an opportunity for us today to come and get a positive result. We've missed that opportunity. But we're still top of the league. We still need to keep a bit of calmness. Recognise what's good about us - and I thought we were good at times. We just weren't good enough when conceding the goals.

“We are disappointed clearly, because we came here with a lot of expectations. But we still feel although we lost the fight today we are still well in it. Top of the league at this stage of the season is testament to the players."

He stressed there was “no shame” losing to a team who have spent between £40 and £50 million in two windows. “I think there will be twists and turns,’” he added. “You only have to look at Rugby Park today, a team like Kilmarnock fighting to stay in the league can make it go to the 97 th or 98th minute or whatever it was. You will see a lot of dramatic finishes because there is so much on it for so many teams, teams fighting for top six, teams fighting for their lives. You will see a lot of late finishes. There is work to be done for us. But three of the next four games are at Tynecastle. It is important we try and maximise that before the split.”

McInnes explained the half-time switch from four at the back to three. Brazilian midfelder Eduardo Ageu was taken off at half time on his full debut. Winger Islam Chesnokov was also withdrawn with full back Jordi Altena and striker Pierre Landry Kabore coming on.

“It was 2-2 and the game was a wee bit basketball-y for me, we needed that extra body at the back,” he said. “We needed to take the sting out of the game, the way Rangers finished the half. And I thought by and large we did.

“The changes were the right changes for me. We were in the game and just lost poor goals. Partly down to us and partly down to Rangers."